Astronaut John Young has died at age 87

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Astronaut John Young mans the commander’s station in the Columbia space shuttle during the first shuttle mission in April 1981.

Astronaut John Young mans the commander’s station in the Columbia space shuttle during the first shuttle mission in April 1981.

Photo: ROBERT CRIPPEN

Space shuttle mission STS-1 astronauts John Young, at microphone, and Robert Crippen waving from podium at Ellington AFB ceremonies for their return to Houston following their space shuttle landing at Edwards AFB in California in 1981.

Space shuttle mission STS-1 astronauts John Young, at microphone, and Robert Crippen waving from podium at Ellington AFB ceremonies for their return to Houston following their space shuttle landing at Edwards

American astronaut Eugene Cernan (in blue), Thomas Stafford (center, shirtless), and John Young (right) clown about with their families during a barbeque outside Young’s home, Houston, Texas, 1969. The three men were the back-up crew for the Apollo 7 mission. (Photo by Ralph Morse/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)

American astronaut Eugene Cernan (in blue), Thomas Stafford (center, shirtless), and John Young (right) clown about with their families during a barbeque outside Young’s home, Houston, Texas, 1969. The three

The astronauts who formed the crews of STS-1, the first space shuttle mission, and STS-135, the final shuttle mission, pose for a group photo at the Johnson Space Center on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011, in Houston.

Astronaut Gordon Cooper sits with his wife Trudy and daughters Jan and Cam, before dinner on patio at home.

Astronaut Gordon Cooper sits with his wife Trudy and daughters Jan and Cam, before dinner on patio at home.

Photo: Ralph Morse, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

Astronaut, Walter M. Schirra swims at home with his children.

Astronaut, Walter M. Schirra swims at home with his children.

Photo: Leonard McCombe, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

American astronaut Neil Armstrong lights a cigar, in Houston in 1969.

American astronaut Neil Armstrong lights a cigar, in Houston in 1969.

Photo: Ralph Morse, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

American astronaut Eugene Cernan (in blue), Thomas Stafford (center, shirtless), and John Young (right) clown about with their families during a barbecue outside Young’s home in Houston in 1969. The three men were the back-up crew for the Apollo 7 mission.

American astronaut Eugene Cernan (in blue), Thomas Stafford (center, shirtless), and John Young (right) clown about with their families during a barbecue outside Young’s home in Houston in 1969. The three men

Astronaut Leroy G. Cooper and his wife Trudy take a spin in their private airplane.

Astronaut Leroy G. Cooper and his wife Trudy take a spin in their private airplane.

Photo: Ralph Morse, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

American astronauts, from left, Thomas Stafford, John Young, and Eugene Cernan share a laugh during a barbecue outside Young’s home in Houston in 1969. The three men were the back-up crew for the Apollo 7 mission.

American astronauts, from left, Thomas Stafford, John Young, and Eugene Cernan share a laugh during a barbecue outside Young’s home in Houston in 1969. The three men were the back-up crew for the Apollo 7

Astronaut James A. Lovell is pictured with his with wife and newborn son in the hospital.

Astronaut James A. Lovell is pictured with his with wife and newborn son in the hospital.

Photo: Donald Uhrbrock, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

Astronauts James A. Lovell, Jr. (third from left) and Frank Borman greet their families upon arriving after their space flight.

Astronauts James A. Lovell, Jr. (third from left) and Frank Borman greet their families upon arriving after their space flight.

Photo: Donald Uhrbrock, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

Marilyn Lovell sits with her husband, astronaut Jim Lovell, at the kitchen counter of their home in Houston, November 1965.

Marilyn Lovell sits with her husband, astronaut Jim Lovell, at the kitchen counter of their home in Houston, November 1965.

Photo: Ralph Morse, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

American astronaut Jim Lovell sits on a couch in his home with his son James III (Jay) and pregnant wife Marilyn in Houston, November 1965.

American astronaut Jim Lovell sits on a couch in his home with his son James III (Jay) and pregnant wife Marilyn in Houston, November 1965.

Photo: Ralph Morse, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

American astronaut Jim Lovell eats a turkey dinner with his family in Houston, November 1965. Clockwise from left, Lovell, daughters Susan and Barbara, wife Marilyn, and son James (Jay).

American astronaut Jim Lovell eats a turkey dinner with his family in Houston, November 1965. Clockwise from left, Lovell, daughters Susan and Barbara, wife Marilyn, and son James (Jay).

Photo: Ralph Morse, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

The family of Gemini 7 (Gemini VII) astronaut Jim Lovell sit in a bedroom in Houston and talk on the day of the mission’s 1965 launch. From left, eldest daughter Barbara lies on the bed, younger daughter Susan sits in the foreground, son James (Jay), and pregnant mother Marilyn Lovell.

The family of Gemini 7 (Gemini VII) astronaut Jim Lovell sit in a bedroom in Houston and talk on the day of the mission’s 1965 launch. From left, eldest daughter Barbara lies on the bed, younger daughter Susan